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KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM
Senator Brian Schatz spoke along with his family at the Democratic headquarters after the first election printout was read in the Manoa ballroom at the Japanese Cultural Center in Honolulu on Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Hawaii’s U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz will hold a seat on the key Senate appropriations committee.
The senator said today his appointment was announced by Senate Democratic leadership.
“This is an important job because the committee makes appropriations that support our national priorities, and because I will be in a position to ensure that the needs of Hawai’i are strongly represented at a critical juncture,” Schatz said. “It is an honor and I look forward to working with all Committee members as we move forward.”
The committee is responsible for allocating funds federal departments, agencies and organizations.
“The Appropriations post is a most significant one for our state and country,” stated Retired Admiral Thomas Fargo, former Commander of the United States Pacific Command. “This appointment so early in his career speaks to the fact that Senator Schatz has earned the respect of his Senate colleagues and is increasingly effective in Washington.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono announced she will continue her work on the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs .
She also has been assigned to three new committees; the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
“I look forward to building on our work to support our servicemembers, veterans and their families,” Hirono said. “Maintaining a strong military presence in Hawaii will continue to be critical to our national security and economy in state, while also serving as a key component to our nation’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific.”
“My new committee assignments are well-balanced and involve top priorities for Hawaii, including shaping policies that secure clean energy, protection of the environment and boosting small business opportunities that create jobs that will help us achieve a sustainable future for Hawaii.”
Senate committee assignments will be made official in January 2015.
Schatz retains seats on the Commerce, Science and Transportation and the Committee on Indian Affairs. He will also served on the Senate Select Committee on Ethics.
The appointments are subject to full vote by the Senate in January.
